England have little to fear against a ‘very average’ Germany team when they meet in the Euro 2020 last-16.
That’s according to talkSPORT’s Tony Cascarino, who has tempted fate by insisting the Three Lions are ‘clear favourites’ for the latest edition of perhaps European football’s greatest rivalry.
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England host Germany at Wembley on Tuesday, with LIVE commentary on talkSPORT, and opinion is split ahead of the game with neither team really delivering at the tournament yet.
While Gareth Southgate’s side progressed from the group stage as Group D winners unbeaten and without even conceding a goal, two 1-0 wins and a 0-0 draw with Scotland did little to prove they should be considered one of the favourites for the crown.
Germany, meanwhile, have been a little more exciting with six goals scored in their three games, they have looked a shambles at the back at times with five goals conceded against France, Portugal and Hungary.
As with any knock-out game, and with any game between two huge rivals, it could go either way on the day, with England fans hoping to avoid more penalty shoot-out drama.
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But Cascarino is very confident after watching Germany’s performances at the competition so far.
“If England get beaten by, in my opinion, a very average Germany team… I’m reading the papers today and many are calling it a 50/50 game,” said the Weekend Sports Breakfast host.
“Really? How is that 50/50? England are playing at Wembley against a very average Germany team. I certainly see England as the favourites. They shouldn’t fear anything.
“Apart from the game against Portugal, Germany hasn’t been particularly good, and that was a terrible performance for Portugal.
“Yes, Germany punished them… but they’ve got out of jail in their group. With the 2-2 draw with Hungary, they got out of jail. They really did.
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“This is not a 50/50 game, England are, for me, firm favourites.
“Hummels isn’t the quickest at the back, you can get behind him and they have already conceded a few goals from players who have made runs in the central area and have got behind the German back line.
“I think that’s one of things England need to hunt down against Germany.”
Southgate is facing pressure from supporters and pundits over his team selection, which – in fairness – he will probably ignore.
The boss has faced criticism for being too conservative with his line-ups during the Euros so far, and many are urging him to change it up in the middle of the field with Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips starting all three group games in the defensive midfield positions.
Mason Mount has been tipped for an immediate return to the team despite his ten-day isolation period which has seen him miss team training.
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But Southgate has been urged to start Jordan Henderson alongside Rice against the Germans, with talkSPORT pundit Darren Ambrose insisting the Three Lions need the Liverpool captain’s experience.
“For the midfield two I would go Declan Rice and Jordan Henderson,” said the former Premier League man.
“He came on for 45 minutes against Czech Republic and that shows me he’s 100 per cent fit in terms of his injury.
“He’s a very fit footballer, he’s a Champions League and Premier League winner. It could have been any of the other central midfielders to play with him, because Kalvin Phillips has done well.
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“But while he played very well against Croatia and got an assist, in the other two games he and Rice have only been OK, they haven’t been great, they haven’t been brilliant.
“I look at Jordan Henderson and his experience, and we talk about Harry Maguire and should he play, I think Henderson should as well.
“In this game we need experienced heads in the middle of the park against Germany.
“We have Declan Rice who is full of energy and is captain of West Ham, he’s another who is very vocal and Kalvin Phillips doesn’t seem like kind of guy who is going to be very vocal against a team like Germany.”
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